The Weyburn Red Wings scored two power play goals in the third period to pick up a controversial 3-2 win over the Estevan Bruins on Saturday at Spectra Place.
Most in the arena would say the first star was referee Sheldon Dean, who called 12 penalties on the Bruins as opposed to four on the Red Wings, including a margin of 6-1 in the third period.
One sequence in particular that drew the ire of the crowd saw Wings forward Thomas Carleton deliver a hit to the head of Bruins defenceman Tyler Poskus, who made his debut with the team. After defenceman Dominic Perrault retaliated, a penalty was called on him but not on the hit to the head.
Bruins head coach Keith Cassidy was furious.
"Yeah, Dominic went up and talked to the guy. He had his hand on his shirt. That pales in comparison to a kid sitting in the room right there that doesn't remember being traded here. He's got no clue what happened. How you miss that is beyond me," Cassidy said.
"Head shots are something we're supposed to be getting out of here. This is our fourth concussion this year. And we're supposed to be protecting our players? I don't think it's right," Cassidy continued. "I thought we were getting away from this 'let's beat the shit out of one another every night.' We're here to play hockey. It doesn't seem like the message is sinking in with the people who are entrusted with protecting our players."
Sam Williams, Keegan Bruce and Coltyn Sanderson scored for Weyburn (19-9-0-1), which increased its lead to six points atop the Sherwood Conference. Dylan Smith and Ben Johnstone replied for Estevan (16-12), which remains in third place, one point behind the Melville Millionaires.
